Read Or Alive
After countless rejection notices, an unhinged, obsessive young writer plots a devious scheme to attain fame and success.
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Kearsten JohanssonDirector
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Trent NewtonDirectorGift Giver, Contrition
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Kearsten JohanssonWriter
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Kearsten JohanssonProducer
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Kearsten JohanssonKey Cast"June"
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Tyler TannerKey Cast"Dee-Vid"
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Lindsay Sutherland BoalKey Cast"Macey"
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Project Type:Short
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Genres:Thriller, Mystery, Dark Comedy, LGBTQ+
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Runtime:21 minutes 30 seconds
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Production Budget:4,000 USD
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Country of Origin:Canada
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Country of Filming:Canada
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Arri Alexa Mini
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Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival
United States
Semi-Finalist -
Toronto Independent Film Festival of CiftToronot
Canada
Best Lead Actress Winner -
Indie Film NIghtCincinnati
United States
Finalist -
Canada Shorts- Canadian & International Short Film Fest.Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada
Canadian Shorts -
Oniros Film Awards®New York
United States
Best Dark Comedy Winner, Best Lead Actress Winner, Best Female Filmmaker Winner -
Accolade Global Film CompetitionLa Jolla, CA
United States
Best Female Filmmaker Winner -
Standalone Film Festival & Awards WorldwideRancho Cucamonga, CA
United States
Best LGBTQ+ Film Nominee -
Hollywood North Film AwardsToronto
Canada
Best Supporting Actor Nominee -
Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions @PinewoodStudiosToronto
Canada
Short Live Action Narrative -
Montreal Independent Film FestivalMontreal
Canada
Canadian Indies
Kearsten Johansson
Read or Alive is Kearsten's directorial debut since post-secondary. She graduated from the Toronto Film School with the Best Actor Award, Presidents Award, and was elected Acting Class Valedictorian. She is currently in post-production for her upcoming film Straw Man.
(Select) Awards:
-Best Supporting Actress, Los Angeles Actors Awards Festival
-Best Supporting Actress, SFAAF Film Festival (Chile)
-The Real Dreams Award (People's Choice Award)
-Artist2Artist Winner, Stephanie Gorin Digital Actor Showcase
-2x Best Lead Actress (Oniros Film Awards® & Accolade Global Film Competition)
-Best Female Filmmaker
-Best Dark Comedy (writer, producer, co-director, lead actress)
Trent Newton
An award winning director and editor, Trent teams up to co-direct this darkly comedic thriller with Kearsten, after previously collaborating with her on the romantic drama Gift Giver. An honours graduate from the Bachelor of Film and Media Production Program at Humber College, Trent has been pursuing his passion for filmmaking since he was young.
(Select) Awards:
- Best Drama, Top Shorts (Gift Giver)
- Best LGBTQ Short, Lost Angeles Film Awards (Gift Giver)
- Best Short Thriller, Los Angeles Film Awards (Contrition)
- Best Thriller, Independent Shorts Awards (Contrition)